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The year 2025 was always going to be important for Shedeur Sanders, without a doubt the most important of his life. But there is no way he, or anyone reading this, could have predicted what happened.
On January 1, 2025, Sanders was considered the 1B to Cam Ward’s 1A in the upcoming NFL Draft, with widespread speculation that he likely wouldn’t overtake the New York Giants at No. 3. At worst, he would practically complete the top 10, as the New Orleans Saints, fresh out of Derek Carr’s retirement, picked ninth.
But the first round came and went without Sanders’ name being mentioned, as did rounds two through four, as Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel all heard their names called. Sanders eventually got a call up in the fifth round and went to the Cleveland Browns with the 144th pick.
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Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 8, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (David Jensen/Getty Images)
After the draft, the smear campaign seemed to be underway, although two speeding tickets probably didn’t help his case. For starters, the son of an assistant coach jokingly called him pretending to be another team’s executive.
One coach called Sanders’ formal interview “the worst,” adding that the quarterback was “entitled.” But the most important thing is that he’s not that good,” that coach said. Other reports said Sanders seemed disinterested in some meetings, especially with the Giants.
CBS’ Ross Tucker also mentioned how Sanders skipped a media obligation before a key college game.
If anyone was at Sanders’ side from day one, it was President Donald Trump. Trump called NFL owners “stupid” after Sanders was not picked in the first round. After scoring a win in his first start, Trump told them, “I TOLD YOU SO.”
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 16, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Image Images)
Entering training camp, Sanders was the team’s third-string quarterback, behind Joe Flacco and Gabriel, and that was only because Deshaun Watson is rehabbing from an Achilles injury and they traded Kenny Pickett shortly after the draft.
Flacco was traded midseason, moving Sanders to the backup role. After Gabriel suffered a concussion in his second start, Sanders took over. Literally while that was happening, three masked robbers broke into Shedeur’s home and stole $200,000 worth of property.
In his first start, Sanders earned a win, leading the Browns to keep their fifth-round quarterback. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind and it doesn’t look like the storm will end anytime soon. Entering Week 17, Sanders is 1-4 with 1,103 passing yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 55.1 completion percentage.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland will have another early pick and also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first round pick this year, so there are plenty of options on the table.
But Sanders remains confident that he is “the one” Browns fans “have been looking for.” In 2026, the answer will be clearer one way or another.
